Digital signal recording apparatus, reproducing apparatus thereof, recording method thereof, reproducing method thereof, and remote controlling apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and a reproducing apparatus that record/reproduce a digital audio signal to/from a rewritable magnetic optical disc. With an operating portion and a displaying portion having an input field with a plurality of lines, character information such as titles of individual programs in a plurality of character formats can be input at a time.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a digital signal recordingapparatus and a digital signal reproducing apparatus forrecording/reproducing data to/from a digital signal record medium suchas a magnetic optical disc. In addition, the present invention relatesto a remote controlling apparatus for the digital signal recordingapparatus and the digital signal reproducing apparatus and a controllingmethod for management information thereof.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] A magnetic optical disc apparatus that records a music programand so forth on a magnetic optical disc such as a MD (Mini Disc,registered trademark) is known. A U-TOC (User Table Of Content) area formanaging information such as record position, record date/time, andtitle name concerned with a recorded program is formed in the innerperiphery of such a magnetic optical disc. The U-TOC area is structuredas pages. In other words, the U-TOC area has a plurality of sectors.Next, an example of the structure of the U-TOC area will be described.

[0005] The U-TOC area is composed of for example 36 sectors. Sector 0 isused to manage start/end addresses of a main program recorded on themagnetic optical disc and start/end addresses of a recordable areathereof. Sector 1 is used to manage a title name of a main programrecorded on the magnetic optical disc and a title name of the magneticoptical disc. When audio data is recorded on the magnetic optical disc,a title name is a program name. In addition, a title name of themagnetic optical disc is an album name or a performer's name.

[0006] Sector 2 is used to manage record date/time of a program. Sector4 is used to manage Kanji characters, Hiragana characters, and Katakanacharacters (these are all Japanese character formats) corresponding tothe title name (English characters) of Sector 1. Sectors 3 and 5 to 36are reserved for future expansions.

[0007] Before a program recorded on the magnetic optical disc isreproduced, information is reproduced from the U-TOC area. Thereproduced information is stored in a predetermined storing means suchas a DRAM of the apparatus in such a manner that the reproducedinformation correlates with each program recorded on the magneticoptical disc. When a desired program is reproduced, a titlecorresponding thereto is read from the memory and displayed on adisplaying portion.

[0008] Since such a conventional magnetic optical disc apparatus hasonly one character input field on its displaying portion so as todisplay character information such as a title name and an artist nameconcerned with a program to be reproduced, both character informationrecorded in sector 1 of the U-TOC area and character informationrecorded in sector 4 of the U-TOC cannot be set at a time.

[0009] In particular, since the character information recorded in sector1 of the U-TOC area correlates with the character information recordedin sector 4 (in other words, the relation of original information andtranslated information such as English (alphabetic characters) andJapanese (Katakana characters), when the title name display area isnarrow, similar information should be redundantly input. Thus, such anapparatus is inconvenient for the user.

[0010] In the conventional magnetic optical disc apparatus, a title nameis read from sector 1 or sector 4 of the U-TOC area corresponding to amode that has been set by the user and displayed with a font that hasbeen selected by the user. For example, the user can more easily see atitle name displayed on the displaying portion in the native language(for example, Japanese) than a foreign language (for example, English).In addition, when an European/American music program is reproduced, theprogram title is displayed in English. Thus, when alphabetic charactersrecorded in sector 1 are displayed, Japanese characters such as Kanjicharacters, Hiragana characters, and Katakana characters recorded insector 4 are not displayed. In other words, advantages (such as avariety of fonts) of the apparatus cannot be effectively used.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide adigital audio signal recording apparatus that allows characterinformation such as titles of individual programs to be displayed andinput in a plurality of character formats (for example, Hiraganacharacters, Kanji characters, and alphabetic characters). Another objectof the present invention is to provide a digital audio signal recordingapparatus and a reproducing apparatus thereof that allow characterinformation to be displayed in a plurality of character formats in thereproducing mode and the like.

[0012] A first aspect of the present invention is a digital signalrecording apparatus, comprising a recording means for rewriting programsand character symbols recorded on a record medium having a program areafor recording programs and a management area for managing a plurality ofcharacter symbols corresponding to the programs, an operating means forallowing the plurality of character symbols to be input when thecharacter symbols are rewritten by the recording means, a displayingmeans having a display field corresponding to the plurality of charactersymbols that are input by the operating means, and a controlling meansfor causing the recording means to record the plurality of charactersymbols that are input by the operating means to the management area insuch a manner that the plurality of character symbols correlate with theprograms.

[0013] A second aspect of the present invention is a digital signalreproducing apparatus, comprising a reproducing means for reproducingprograms and character symbols from a record medium having a programarea for recording programs and a management area for managing aplurality of character symbols corresponding to the programs, a storingmeans for storing the plurality of character symbols in such a mannerthat the plurality of character symbols correlate with the programs, anda displaying means having a display field corresponding to the pluralityof character symbols that are recorded to the recording means.

[0014] A third aspect of the present invention is a remote controllingapparatus, comprising an operating means for inputting a plurality ofcharacter symbols that are transmitted to a unit to be controlled, adisplaying means having a display field corresponding to the pluralityof character symbols that are input by the operating means, a storingmeans for storing the plurality of character symbols that are input bythe operating means, and a transmitting means for transmitting theplurality of character symbols stored in the storing means to the unitto be controlled along with an identifier that represents the unit to becontrolled.

[0015] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a digital signalrecording method, comprising the steps of (a) recording programs andcharacter symbols to a record medium having a program area for recordingprograms and a management area for managing a plurality of charactersymbols corresponding to the programs, (b) inputting the plurality ofcharacter symbols recorded at step (a), and (c) displaying the pluralityof character symbols that are input at step (b) on a predetermineddisplay field.

[0016] A fifth aspect of the present invention is a digital signalreproducing method, comprising the steps of (a) reproducing programs andcharacter symbols from a record medium having a program area forrecording programs and a management area for managing a plurality ofcharacter symbols corresponding to the programs, (b) storing theplurality of character symbols in such a manner that the plurality ofcharacter symbols correlate with the programs, and (c) displaying theplurality of character symbols that are recorded at step (b) to adisplay field.

[0017] These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent in light of the following detaileddescription of a best mode embodiment thereof, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall structure of adigital signal recording/reproducing apparatus according to the presentinvention;

[0019]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the medium format of arewritable magnetic optical disc;

[0020]FIG. 3 is a table showing the structure of sector 0 of an U-TOCarea for managing a record position of each program;

[0021]FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a link state of pieces ofdata dispersedly recorded in a program area of a rewritable magneticoptical disc;

[0022]FIG. 5 is a table showing the structure of sector 1 of the U-TOCarea for managing a title name of each program recorded in a firstcharacter format;

[0023]FIG. 6 is a table showing the structure of sector 2 of the U-TOCarea for managing the record date/time of each program;

[0024]FIG. 7 is a table showing the structure of sector 4 of the U-TOCarea for managing a title name of each program recorded in a secondcharacter format;

[0025]FIG. 8A is an external view showing the structure of a remotecontrolling portion according to the present invention;

[0026]FIG. 8B is a block diagram showing the structure of the remotecontrolling portion according to the present invention;

[0027]FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a display screen on whicheach recording/reproducing apparatus is controlled with the remotecontrolling portion;

[0028]FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a title display screen onwhich a rewritable magnetic optical disc is operated;

[0029]FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a title name input screenon which a rewritable magnetic optical disc is operated;

[0030]FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a two-line character inputfield to which alphabetic characters are input to one line and Hiraganacharacters are input to the other line so as to operate a rewritablemagnetic optical disc;

[0031]FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a software keyboarddisplayed in the case that a “Kana character” display mode has beenselected as a character input screen;

[0032]FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a software keyboarddisplayed in the case that an “Uppercase alphabetic character” displaymode has been selected as a character input screen;

[0033]FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a software keyboarddisplayed in the case that a “Lowercase alphabetic character” displaymode has been selected as a character input screen;

[0034]FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing a software keyboarddisplayed in the case that a “Symbolic character” display mode has beenselected as a character input screen;

[0035]FIGS. 17A and 17B are flow charts showing a process performed onthe remote controlling portion side for automatically inputtingcharacter information in a particular character format corresponding toan input operation of character information in another character formatof a plurality of character formats; and

[0036]FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing a process performed on therecording/reproducing apparatus side for automatically inputtingcharacter information in a particular character format corresponding toan input operation of character information in another character formatof a plurality of character formats.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0037] Next, with reference to the accompanying drawings, an embodimentof the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagramshowing the overall structure of an Mini Disc (hereinafter referred toas MD) apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.The diameter of an MD is as small as 64 mm in comparison with 12 cm of aCompact Disc (hereinafter referred to as CD). An MD is a magneticoptical disc that is superior to a CD in portability. The MD apparatusis a magnetic optical disc apparatus that records information on an MDand reproduces information therefrom. Referring to FIG. 1, as will bedescribed later, an MD main unit 30 receives a user's command through aremote controlling portion 100 and outputs information (such as audioinformation) that the user requires.

[0038] An MD 1 is housed in a cartridge with a shutter mechanism. Wheninformation is recorded to the MD 1 or reproduced therefrom, the shuttermechanism is opened. In this state, light emitted by an optical pickupis radiated to the MD 1. In addition, a magnetic field generated by amagnetic head is applied to the MD 1. When the MD 1 is loaded to the MDmain unit 30 in the recording mode, the reproducing mode, or the like,the MD 1 is rotated at CLV (Constant Linear Velocity) by a spindle motor2. An optical head 3 and the magnetic head 6 are disposed in the MD mainunit 30 in such a manner that the optical head 3 and the magnetic head 6are oppositely positioned with the MD 1. A thread motor 5 is disposed inthe MD main unit 30. The thread motor 5 largely travels the optical head3 in the radial direction of the MD 1.

[0039] The optical head 3 is composed of an objective lens 3 a, atwo-axis mechanism 4, a semiconductor laser (not shown), and a lightreceiving portion (not shown). The intensity of laser light emitted fromthe semiconductor laser is varied between the recording mode and thereproducing mode. The light receiving portion is composed of a pluralityof areas. The light receiving portion receives light of which the laserlight emitted by the semiconductor laser is reflected by the MD 1 andgenerates detection signals of the individual areas thereof. Thepolarization of the reflected light varies corresponding to recordinformation by magnetic Kerr effect. The light receiving portion detectsa magnetic field vector corresponding to the variation of thepolarization and generates a detection signal corresponding to thedetected magnetic field vector. The two-axis mechanism 4 is composed ofa focusing coil and a tracking coil. The focusing coil drives theobjective lens 3 a in the direction of which the objective lens 3 aapproaches the record surface of the MD 1 or goes away therefrom. Thetracking coil drives the objective lens 3 a in the radius direction ofthe MD 1.

[0040] Next, the structures and operations of a data reproducing system,a servo system, and a portion that processes a reproduced signal will bedescribed. The detection signals generated by the light receivingportion of the optical head 3 are supplied to an RF amplifier 7. The RFamplifier 7 generates a focus error signal FE, a tracking error signalTE, an RF signal, and a spindle error signal corresponding to thedetection signals. The focus error signal FE and the tracking errorsignal TE are supplied to a servo circuit 9. The RF signal is suppliedto an EFM/CIRC encoder/decoder 8 and an address decoder 10. The spindleerror signal is supplied to a system controlling portion 11.

[0041] The servo circuit 9 compensates the phases of the signalsreceived from the RF amplifier 7 and adjusts the gains thereof. Outputsignals of the servo circuit 9 are supplied to the focusing coil and thetracking coil of the two-axis mechanism 4 through a drive amplifier (notshown).

[0042] The servo circuit 9 has an LPF (Low Pass Filter) (not shown). Thetracking error signal TE is supplied to the LPF. Corresponding to theoutput signal of the LPF, a thread error signal is generated. The threaderror signal is supplied to the thread motor 5 through a thread driveamplifier (not shown). The thread motor 5 operates corresponding to thethread error signal.

[0043] The EFM/CIRC encoder/decoder 8 performs the following processescorresponding to the RF signal received from the RF amplifier 7. TheEFM/CIRC encoder/decoder 8 converts the RF signal into a binary signaland demodulates the binary signal by EFM (Eight to Fourteen Modulation)demodulating process. The EFM demodulating process is a demodulatingprocess for record data that has been EFM-modulated. In addition, theEFM/CIRC encoder/decoder 8 performs an error correcting processcorresponding to CIRC (Cross Interleave Reed-Solomon Coding) method forthe resultant signal.

[0044] Thus, the EFM/CIRC encoder/decoder 8 generates a spindle errorsignal for controlling the rotation of the MD 1 corresponding to thebinary signal corresponding to the RF signal or corresponding to addressdata extracted by the address decoder 10 and supplies the spindle errorsignal to the system controlling portion 11. The system controllingportion 11 controls the spindle motor 2 corresponding to the spindleerror signal. The EFM/CIRC encoder/decoder 8 controls the operation of aPLL (Phase Locked Loop) thereof corresponding to the binary EFM signal.

[0045] The EFM/CIRC encoder/decoder 8 supplies the resultant decodedsignal to a memory controller 12. As will be described later, the memorycontroller 12 writes the output signal of the EFM/CIRC encoder/decoder 8to a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13 under the control of the systemcontrolling portion 11. In addition, the memory controller 12 reads asignal from the RAM 13.

[0046] The signal that is read from the RAM 13 is supplied to an audiocompression encoder/decompression decoder 14. The audio compressionencoder/decompression decoder 14 decompresses the received signal thathas been compressed corresponding to for example ATRAC (AcousticTRansferred Adopted Coding) method. The decompressed signal is suppliedto a D/A converter 15. The D/A converter 15 converts the receiveddigital data into analog audio signal. The analog audio signal issupplied to an audio outputting means (not shown) through an audiooutput terminal 16.

[0047] As will be described later, grooves have been formed on the MD 1in a zigzag pattern at a predetermined frequency (for example, 22.05Hz). Address data that had been FM-modulated has been recorded on the MD1. The address data decoder 10 extracts the address data correspondingto the RF signal received from the RF amplifier 7. A BPF (Band PassFilter) that allows only a predetermined frequency to pass is disposedin the address data decoder 10. By FM-demodulating the RF signalreceived from the BPF, the address data is extracted. The extractedaddress data is supplied to the EFM/CIRC encoder/decoder 8.

[0048] Next, the processes performed by the memory controller 12 will bedescribed in detail. The output signal of the EFM/CIRC encoder/decoder 8is written to the RAM 13 at a transmission rate of for example, 1.4Mbits/sec. When the amount of the signal written to the RAM 13 exceeds apredetermined value, the signal is read from the RAM 13 at a lowertransmission rate of for example, 0.3 Mbits/sec than the transmissionrate in the data writing mode. Since the reproduced signal istemporarily stored to the memory and then output as audio data, theaudio data can be prevented from being lost even if a track jump due toan external disturbance (such as vibration) takes place.

[0049] When a track jump due to an external disturbance such asvibration takes place, a process for moving the optical head 3 to theaddress at which such a track jump has taken place is performed. Whilesuch a process is being performed, the memory controller 12 reads thesignal from the RAM at the low transmission rate and outputs theresultant audio data. Thus, even if the MD main unit 30 stopsreproducing data from the MD 1 due to a track jump, when the period ofthe track jump is less than a predetermined value, the audio data can beprevented from being lost. When the RAM 13 has a storage capacity of forexample 4 Mbytes, it can store audio data of up to around 10 seconds.The memory controller 12 is controlled by the system controlling portion11.

[0050] Next, the structure and operation of the recoding system of theMD main unit 30 will-be described. An analog signal is output from ananalog output terminal of a digital reproducing apparatus such as a CDplayer. The analog signal is supplied to an A/D converter 18 through anaudio input terminal 17. The A/D converter 18 converts the receivedanalog signal into a digital signal. The digital signal is supplied tothe audio compression encoder/decompression decoder 14. When a digitalsignal received from a digital output terminal of a digital reproducingapparatus is input, the digital signal is supplied to the audiocompression encoder/decompression decoder 14 through an input terminal21.

[0051] The audio compression encoder/decompression decoder 14 compressesthe received digital signal corresponding to a predetermined compressingmethod such as ATRAC (Acoustic TRansfer Adapted Coding) method. Thecompressed digital signal is temporarily stored in the RAM 13 throughthe memory controller 12 at a transmission rate of for example 0.3Mbits/second. When the memory controller 12 detects that a predeterminedamount of the digital signal has been stored in the RAM 13, the memorycontroller 12 allows the digital signal to be read from the RAM 13.

[0052] The digital signal that is read from the RAM 13 is supplied tothe EFM/CIRC encoder/decoder 8. The EFM/CIRC encoder/decoder 8 performsthe EFM modulating process and the error correcting processcorresponding to CIRC encoding method for the digital signal andsupplies the resultant signal to a magnetic head driving circuit 150.The magnetic head driving circuit 150 drives an N pole or an S pole ofthe magnetic head 6 corresponding to the received signal. In addition,the power of the light emitted by the semiconductor laser of the opticalhead 3 is controlled so that it becomes higher than in the reproducingmode. The surface of the MD 1 is heated up to Curie temperature so thatthe magnetic field is inverted. In this state, the data is recorded.

[0053] The system controlling portion 11 performs various controllingprocesses concerned with the recording/reproducing operations. Forexample, the system controlling portion 11 controls the signal processperformed by the memory controller 12 with the RAM 13, the spindlecontrolling process corresponding to the spindle error signal receivedfrom the EFM/CIRC encoder/decoder 8, and the encoder/decoder controllingprocess for the EFM/CIRC encoder/decoder 8.

[0054] In addition, the system controlling portion 11 transmits variousservo commands to the servo circuit 9 corresponding to user's operationsperformed through a key portion 19 or a remote controlling portion 100(that will be described later). Moreover, the system controlling portion11 causes a displaying portion 20 such as a LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)to display predetermined information such as character information.Examples of information displayed on the displaying portion 20 are stillpicture, time information (such as total reproduction time of the MD 1,elapsed time of a program that is being reproduced, remainingreproduction time of a program that is being reproduced, and remainingreproduction time of total reproduction time), and track information ofa program that is being reproduced. When a disc name, a track name, aprogram name, and so forth have been recorded on the MD 1, they are alsodisplayed on the displaying portion 20.

[0055] Examples of user's operations that are performed or input throughthe key portion 19 and the remote controlling portion 100 are poweron/off commands, cartridge eject command, playback command, pausecommand, stop command, program selection command, and record command.Information concerned with operations are input from the remotecontrolling portion 100 and transmitted to the system controllingportion 11 by a predetermined transmitting method using infrared rays orthe like. The MD main unit 30 has a transmitting/receiving unit 22 thattransmits information to the remote controlling portion 100 and receivesinformation therefrom.

[0056] Information that is transmitted from the MD main unit 30 is forexample information concerned with programs recorded on the MD 1. Whenthe user selects a program, he or she references such information. Suchinformation is reproduced from a predetermined record area such as aP-TOC (Pre-mastered TOC) area or the U-TOC area recorded on the MD 1.The detail of the P-TOC area will be described later. The reproducedinformation is supplied to the transmitting/receiving unit 22 by thesystem controlling portion 11. The user may communicate with the systemcontrolling portion 11 through for example a personal computer 40 and aninterface 39 as well as the key portion 19 and the remote controllingportion 100. In this case, software that allows the personal computer 40to communicate with the system controlling portion 11 and information tobe displayed on a monitor screen is required.

[0057] Each of the key portion 19 and the remote controlling portion 100has a function that allows the user to record desired information suchas a title of each program to the MD 1. The information that has beenrecorded on the MD 1 is displayed on the displaying portion 20 while therelevant program is being reproduced.

[0058] Information such as a title of each program is recorded in theU-TOC area of the MD 1. The U-TOC area is a record area that isdifferent from a program area. As will be described later, the U-TOCarea is composed of a plurality of sectors. In other words, informationsuch as a title of each program is recorded to different sectorsdepending on whether or not character codes of the information are basedon MS-JIS (Microsoft-Japanese Industrial Standard) (such as Kanjicharacters, Hiragana characters, and Katakana characters in two-bytecharacter format) or ISO (International Standard Organization) 8859-1(such as alphabetic characters and Katakana characters in one-bytecharacter format). According to the present invention, character data ofa title of each program in a plurality of character formats can be inputat a time on the same screen of the displaying portion of the remotecontrolling portion 100.

[0059] Next, for easy understanding of te present invention, withreference to FIG. 2, the medium format of the MD 1 will be described.The MD 1 is composed of a polycarbonate substrate and an informationfilm coated thereon. A clamping plate 41 composed of a magneticsubstance is disposed at the center of the MD 1. The information filmhas a data record film and a data reproduction film. The data recordfilm is composed of a dielectric layer, an MO (Magnetic Optical) layer,a dielectric layer, a reflection film, and a protection film that aredisposed successively on the substrate. The data reproduction film iscomposed of a reflection film and a protection film. The area other thanthe clamping plate 41 of the MD 1 is an information area 42.

[0060] A lead-in area 43 is formed on the innermost periphery side ofthe information area 42. The data reproduction film is coated in thelead-in area 43. In the data reproduction film, information has beenrecorded as pits. A recordable area 44 is formed outside the lead-inarea 43. The data record film is coated in the recordable area 44. Alead-out area 45 is disposed on the outermost periphery of the MD 1. Aprogram area 47 for recording each program is formed outside therecordable area 44. A U-TOC area 46 for recording a U-TOC is formed onthe inner periphery side of the recordable area 44. In the U-TOC area46, information concerned with each program recorded in the program area47 is recorded.

[0061] A calibration area 48 is formed between the lead-in area 43 andthe U-TOC area 46 (in other words, on the innermost periphery of therecordable area 44). The calibration area 48 is formed so as to adjust alaser output power in the recording mode. A gap area 49 is formedbetween the U-TOC area 46 and the program area 47. User data is notrecorded in the calibration area 48 and the gap area 49.

[0062] A P-TOC has been recorded as pre-pits in the lead-in area 43. Inthe P-TOC, information such as the start address of the U-TOC area, thelaser power value in the recording mode, and the start address of thecalibration area 48 has been recorded.

[0063] To record/reproduce a program to/from the MD 1, managementinformation (namely, the P-TOC and the U-TOC) that has been recorded onthe MD 1 should be read. The system controlling portion 11 determines anaddress of an area of the MD 1 to/from which a program isrecorded/reproduced corresponding to the management information. Themanagement information is read when the MD 1 is loaded to the MD mainunit 30. The management information that has been read from the MD 1 isstored in a predetermined storing means such as a DRAM (not shown). Whena program is recorded or reproduced, the management information isreferenced.

[0064] When data is recorded or erased, the U-TOC is edited andrewritten. Whenever data is recorded/erased, the system controllingportion 11 edits the U-TOC stored in the predetermined storing means.The edited U-TOC is written to the U-TOC area 46 of the MD 1 atpredetermined timing (in other words, when the eject command of the MD 1or the power off command is input). Since the U-TOC information istemporarily stored in the storing means, the storing period of the U-TOCinformation can be shortened in comparison with the case that the U-TOCinformation is recorded to the U-TOC area 4 of the MD 1 whenever theU-TOC information is rewritten. Thus, the performance of the MD mainunit 30 can be improved. However, whenever the U-TOC information isrewritten, it may be recorded to the U-TOC area 46 of the MD 1.

[0065] For easy understanding of the U-TOC information managed in theU-TOC area 46, the data format of the program area 47 will be described.Data is recorded or reproduced as clusters. One cluster is composed offor example 36 sectors. One sector is composed of for example 2352bytes. The 36 sectors consist of three linking sectors, one sub datasector, and 32 main data sectors.

[0066] The CIRC interleave length of the data format of the MD is largerthan the length of one sector (for example, 13.3 msec) in the format ofa conventional error correcting process used for a CD or the like. Toallow one reproducing system to reproduce data recorded on both a CD andan MD, such linking sectors are provided. Thus, meaningful informationis not recorded in the linking sectors. In addition, the sub data sectoris reserved for a future expansion.

[0067] Two sectors are used as one group. One group is divided into forexample 11 sound groups. One sound group is composed of for example 424bytes of data of left and right channels. 11 sound groups are referredto as one sound frame.

[0068] As described above, the U-TOC is table-of-content information formanaging each program recorded in the program area 47. Next, the U-TOCarea 46 for recording the U-TOC will be described. The U-TOC area 46 iscomposed of for example 32 sectors. Next, sectors 0, 1, 2, and 4 of the32 sectors will be described. Sectors 3 and 5 to 32 are reserved forfuture expansions.

[0069] Sector 0 is used to manage the start address and end address ofeach program recorded in the program area 47, copy protect information,and emphasis information. FIG. 3 shows an example of the structure ofsector 0. Each of sectors 0, 1, 2, and 3 is composed of 2352 bytesarranged as 588 four-byte slots. The 588 four-byte slots are identifiedslot 0 to slot 587. In slot 0 to slot 77, a header portion, a cluster H,a cluster L, a maker code, a model code, a first TNO, a last TNO, asector in-use state, a disc serial number, and a disc ID aresuccessively recorded. The cluster H and the cluster L representpredetermined addresses. The maker code and the model code represent amanufacturer name and a model name of the disc, respectively. The firstTNO and the last TNO represent the first and last program numbers,respectively.

[0070] In addition, a P-DFA (Pointer for Defective Area), a P-EMPTY(Pointer for Empty slot), a P-FRAM (Pointer for Freely Area), and arelevant table representation data portion are successively recorded.The P-DFA represents the start position of a slot for storinginformation concerned with the position of a defect that takes place onthe MD 1. The P-EMPTY represents the in-use state of a slot. The P-FRArepresents the start position of a slot for managing a recordable area.The relevant table representation data portion is composed of P-TNO1,P-TNO2, . . . , and P-TNO255 that represent the start positions of slotscorresponding to the individual program numbers.

[0071] Slot 78 to slot 587 are slots pointed by the above-describedvarious pointers. Each slot is composed of four bytes. Each slot is usedto manage a start address, an end address, a track mode, and linkinformation.

[0072] In the MD apparatus according to the present invention, data isnot always sequentially recorded on the MD, which is a record medium. Inother words, data dispersedly recorded on a record medium can becorrectly reproduced. Next, a process for correctly reproducing datadispersedly recorded on a record medium will be described. As describedabove, data is temporarily stored in the RAM 13. Moreover, in the RAM13, the data write rate is larger than the data read rate. Thus, thereproducing system can perform the following data processes.

[0073] The optical pickup 6 is successively accessed to data that hasbeen dispersedly recorded on the disc. Corresponding to the reproducedsignal, the EFM/CIRC encoder/decoder 8 generates reproduced data. Thereproduced data is stored in the RAM 13. When data is read from the PAM13, the data is sequentially arranged and supplied to the audiocompression encoder/decompression decoder 14.

[0074] Next, a process for correctly connecting data that has beendispersedly recorded will be described. This process is performed withreference to the P-FRA in sector 0 of the U-TOC. FIG. 4 shows the casethat 03h (where h represents hexadecimal notation) is recorded in theP-FRA. In this case, slot 03h is accessed. A start address and an endaddress recorded in slot 03h represent a start address and an endaddress of one part recorded on the disc.

[0075] Link information recorded in slot 03h represents an address of aslot to be continued. The address of the slot to be continued from slop03h is 18h. Thus, slot 18h is accessed. Since link information recordedin slot 18h is 1Fh, slot 1Fh is accessed. Corresponding to linkinformation of slot 1Fh, slot 2Bh is accessed. Corresponding to linkinformation of 2Bh, slot E3h is accessed. Until link information of aslot to be continued becomes null (namely, 00h), link information issuccessively traced.

[0076] In such a manner, addresses of data that has been dispersedlyrecorded are successively obtained. The MD main unit 30 controls theoptical pickup 6 and successively accesses such addresses on the MD 1.Thus, when the MD main unit 30 reads data from the RAM 13, the MD mainunit 30 can connect data that has been dispersedly recorded.

[0077] In the above-described process, data that has been dispersedlyrecorded is connected with reference to the P-FRA. Alternatively, datathat has been dispersedly recorded can be connected with reference tothe P-DFA, the P-EMPTY, or the P-TNO1, P-TNO2, . . . , and P-TNO255. Insector 1 of the U-TOC area 46, titles of all programs recorded in theprogram areas 47 and a disc title of the MD 1 are managed. When programsrecorded on the MD 1 are audio data, the disc title of the MD 1 is analbum title, information concerned with a performer, and so forth. Thetitles of the individual programs are song names. FIG. 5 shows anexample of the structure of sector 1 of the U-TOC area 46.

[0078] Character information of each program is recorded in a slot ofthe character table portion corresponding to the relevant tablerepresentation data P-TNAx (where x=1 to 255). When the number ofcharacters is large, a plurality of slots are linked with linkinformation. In sector 1 of the U-TOC area 46, available character codeshave been defined so that titles are managed with alphabetic characters.However, when the user designates Katakana character input mode, aspecial code “^ ” is automatically generated. The alphabetic charactersare surrounded by a pair of special codes “^ ” and managed in sector 1.The alphabetic characters surrounded with a pair of special codes “^ ”are converted into Katakana characters with a conversion table. With theconversion table, for example, “^ a^ ” is converted into “

” (Katakana character).

[0079]FIG. 6 shows an example of sector 2 of the U-TOC area 46. Sector 2is used to manage record date/time of each program recorded in theprogram area 47. FIG. 7 shows an example of sector 4 of the U-TOC area46. With character codes defined for sector 4, titles of individualprograms recorded in the program area 47 can be displayed in Kanjicharacters, Hiragana characters, and/or Katakana characters.

[0080] Next, a process for inputting characters such as a title insector 1 or sector 4 of the U-TOC area 46 will be described. FIG. 8A isan external view showing the external structure of the remotecontrolling portion 100. The remote controlling portion 100 comprises acommander off button 101, a sleep button 102, a displaying portion 104,a touch panel 103, a volume adjustment button 105, a jog dial knob 106,a muting button 108, a contrast adjustment knob 109, and a brightnessadjustment dial 110. The touch panel 103 is additionally disposed on thedisplaying portion 104.

[0081]FIG. 8B is a block diagram showing the internal structure of theremote controlling portion 100. The remote controlling portion 100comprises a transmitting/receiving portion 111, a controlling portion112, a remote controller memory 113, an operating portion 114, and adisplaying portion 104. The transmitting/receiving portion 111transmits/receives data from/to the MD main unit 30 to/from thetransmitting/receiving unit 22 with infrared rays or the like. Thecontrolling portion 112 is a microcomputer or the like. The remotecontroller memory 113 is connected to the controlling portion 112. Theoperating portion 114 has function keys and character input keys froselecting an operation object other than MD functions of the MD mainunit 30. The displaying portion 104 displays operation informationcorresponding to a selected function.

[0082] The user operates the MD main unit 30 with the operating portion114 while seeing operation information displayed on the displayingportion 104. The remote controller memory 113 stores a software programnecessary for the remote controlling portion 100, user operationinformation for the operating portion 114, and display informationdisplayed on the displaying portion 104. The transmitting/receivingportion 111 transmits user's operation commands that are input with theoperating portion 114. In addition, the transmitting/receiving portion111 receives control signals and information of character codes from theMD main unit 30 with the transmitting/receiving unit 22 of the MD mainunit 30. Next, with reference to FIG. 8A, the operation of the remotecontrolling portion 100 will be described in detail.

[0083] The commander off button 101 is used to prohibit the remotecontrolling portion 100 from transmitting user's commands to the MD mainunit 30. The sleep button 102 is used to cause the MD main unit 30 toenter the sleep mode. The displaying portion 104 is for example an LCDmonitor.

[0084] The touch panel portion 103, which is additionally disposed onthe displaying portion 104, is composed of a plate having a resistorfilm, an electrostatic film, or the like. On the touch panel portion103, the resistance varies corresponding to the two-dimensionalposition. When the user touches the surface of the touch panel portion103 with an operation part such as a touch pen, a signal for aparticular command corresponding to the touched position is generated.Since the touch panel portion 103 fully covers the upper surface of thedisplaying portion 104, optical characteristics such as transmissivityof light should satisfy predetermined conditions so that the visibilityof the displaying portion 104 does not deteriorate.

[0085] Since the touch panel portion 103 and the displaying portion 104are disposed with the relation of the positions thereof, the user canknow a position that he or she should touch on the touch panel portion103 corresponding to data displayed on the displaying portion 104. Datais displayed on the displaying portion 104 with GUI (Graphical UserInterface) that is software stored in the remote controller memory 113.

[0086] The volume adjustment button 105 is used to adjust the volumelevel of audio sound that is reproduced. The jog dial knob 106 is usedas a selecting means to select a user's command or a program to bereproduced. The muting button 108 is used to muffle an audio output inthe reproducing mode. The contrast adjustment knob 109 is used to adjustthe contrast of the screen of the displaying portion 103. The brightnessadjustment dial 110 is used to adjust the brightness of the screen ofthe displaying portion 103.

[0087] Next, with reference to examples of screens displayed on thedisplaying portion 104, a process for inputting character informationsuch as titles will be practically described. FIG. 9 shows a screen forselecting an object to be controlled. The MD main unit 30 composes anaudio recording/reproducing system along with a radio receiver, a CDreproducing unit, a tape recorder, and so forth. Thus, the remotecontrolling portion 100 can control these units. On the screen shown inFIG. 9, the user touches an icon of a unit to be controlled with thetouch pen or the like.

[0088] Next, a process performed in the case that the MD main unit hasbeen selected as an object to be controlled will be described. When theicon for the MD main unit has been selected, a screen shown in FIG. 10is displayed. On the screen shown in FIG. 10, the user can select forexample a playback start command, a program skip command, a playbackstop command, a pause command, and a disk skip command as playbackcommands with the touch panel portion 103. In other words, icons forthese commands are displayed on the touch panel portion 103. When theuser touches a desired icon on the touch panel portion 103 with thepredetermined operating means, a command corresponding to the touchedicon is sent to the MD main unit 30. The icons for the playback commandsare shown in the center to lower regions of the touch panel portion 103.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 10, icons for commands other than the playbackcommands are displayed in a lower region of the touch panel portion 103.Examples of these commands are a character input command (NAME), an editcommand (EDIT) for a cut and paste process for each program (namely,audio information), a dubbing command (DUBBING) for recordinginformation of another record medium, a mode selecting command (MODE)for selecting a playback order of programs (such as a repetitiveplayback mode or a random playback mode), and a list command (LIST) fordisplaying available programs in a list format.

[0090] Since the present invention features a character input function,a process performed in the case that the icon “NAME” is touched on thetouch panel portion 103 shown in FIG. 10 and a character input functionis selected will be described. FIG. 11 shows an example of the characterinput screen. On the character input screen, “MD” is displayed at theupper left corner thereof. “MD” represents that the MD main unit hasbeen selected as an object to be controlled. A display field just below“MD” shows a track name, a disc name, or the like that is read from theP-TOC area. “+” and “−” icons on the right of the display field are usedto increment/decrement a track number for a desired track. With theselected track number, a desired program can be selected from programsrecorded in the program area 47 so as to record character informationwith the character input function.

[0091] Just below the display field, a two-line character input field isdisplayed. One of the two lines of the character input field showscharacter information to be recorded in sector 1 of the U-TOC area. Theother line shows character information to be recorded in sector 4 of theU-TOC area. Thus, in the above-described structure of the U-TOC area,one line is used to input alphabetic characters or Katakana characters(in one-byte character format), whereas the other line is used to inputKanji characters, Hiragana characters, and Katakana characters (intwo-byte character format).

[0092]FIG. 12 shows another format of the two-line character input fieldshown in FIG. 11. In FIG. 12, since a field “Track No” shows “1”, it isclear that character information that can be input is for the firstprogram. As the name of the first program, “AIUEO” can be input inalphabetic character format (one-byte character format). In addition, “

” can be input in Kanji character format (two-byte character format). Onthe right of the character input field, a field “time” that representstime information is disposed.

[0093] In the remote controlling portion 100, the displaying portion 104has the above-described two-line character input field. Thus, the usercan see input characters in two character formats at a time. Afterconfirming the relation of the characters in the two character formats,the user can cause the remote controlling portion 100 to transmit theinput characters to the MD main unit. The user can freely designate therelation between characters that are input to the two lines of thecharacter input field. For example, the first line may be used to inputa music program title with alphabetic characters, whereas the secondline may be used to input the equivalent music program title withJapanese characters. Alternatively, the first line may be used to inputa title name, whereas the second line may be used to input an artistname. On the right of the two-line character input field, icons forcommand for transmitting characters in the individual lines of thecharacter input field are displayed. When the user touches these icons,the characters in the first line of the character input field and thecharacter in the second line thereof are stored in sector 1 and sector 4of the U-TOC area, respectively.

[0094] Alternatively, several program titles in a plurality of formatsmay be input on one screen. In this case, a plurality of two-linecharacter input fields may be disposed on the displaying portion 104.

[0095] The user inputs characters with reference to a keyboard displayedin a lower region of the displaying portion 104 (the keyboard ishereinafter referred to as software keyboard). In FIG. 11, the softwarekeyboard is used to input Hiragana characters. With the softwarekeyboard for Hiragana characters, when the user touches an icon “

” in a lowest region of the displaying portion, he or she can convertHiragana characters into Kanji characters. As described above, Hiraganacharacters and Kanji characters that are input on the screen shown inFIG. 11 are recorded in sector 4 of the U-TOC area. In addition, whenthe user touches icons “

(Hiragana characters)”, “

(Katakana characters)”, “

(Symbolic characters)”, “

(Uppercase alphabetic characters”, “

(Codes)”, or “

(Lowercase alphabetic characters” in a left region of the screen, he orshe can select a desired character format.

[0096]FIG. 13 shows an example of a software keyboard displayed in thecase that the user touches the icon “

” on the screen. The software keyboard shown in FIG. 13 is used to inputKatakana characters in two-byte character format. Katakana characters intwo-byte character format are recorded in sector 4 of the U-TOC area. Onthe other hand, Katakana characters in one-byte character format arerecorded in sector 1 of the U-TOC area. FIG. 14 shows an example of asoftware keyboard displayed in the case that the user touches the icon “

” on the screen. FIG. 15 shows an example of a software keyboarddisplayed in the case that the user touches the icon “

” on the screen. FIG. 16 shows an example of a software keyboarddisplayed in the case that the user touches the icon “

” on the screen. Uppercase alphabetic characters, lowercase alphabeticcharacters, and symbolic characters are recorded in sector 1 of theU-TOC area.

[0097] In the above-described embodiment, characters are separatelyinput to two lines of the character input field. When characters in afirst character format are input to one line of the character inputfield, they may be automatically converted into equivalent characters ina second character format and then the characters in the second formatmay be input to the other line of the character input field. Withreference to a flow chart shown in FIG. 17, this process will bedescribed as a second embodiment of the present invention. The hardwarestructure of the second embodiment of the present invention is the sameas that of the first embodiment of the present invention. In thefollowing description, character information is input with a meanssimilar to the remote controlling portion 100. However, the inputtingmeans for character information may be the key portion of the MD mainunit 30 or a personal computer.

[0098] In a character inputting process of the remote controllingportion 100 shown in FIG. 17, a character type is selected at step S1.When Hiragana has been selected, the flow advances to step S2.Otherwise, the flow advances to step S4. At step S2, when necessary, theHiragana characters are converted into Kanji characters. The resultantcharacters are input to an input column for character information to berecorded to sector 4 of the U-TOC area (this input column is hereinafterreferred to as column A). At step A3, the Hiragana characters that havebeen input to the column A are automatically converted into Katakanacharacters in one-byte character format. The converted characters areinput to an input column for character information to be recorded insector 1 of the U-TOC area (this input column is hereinafter referred toas column B).

[0099] At step S4, alphabetic characters, Katakana characters, orsymbolic character are input. In this case, since it is not necessary toconvert the input characters into Kanji characters, the input charactersare directly input to the column A. At step S5, the input characters areconverted into equivalent characters in one-byte character format andthen input to the column B. In other words, at steps S3 and S5,characters that have been input to the column A at steps S2 and S4 areconverted into equivalent characters in one-byte character format andthen input to the column B, respectively.

[0100] At step S6, it is determined whether or not an object to beprocessed is an MD. When the object is an MD, the flow advances to stepS7. Otherwise, the flow advances to step S11.

[0101] At step S7, it is determined whether or not a command fortransmitting the characters that have been input to the column A to theMD main unit has been input. When the command has been input, thecharacters that have been input to the column A are transmitted to theMD main unit along with a column A identifier and an MD identifier.Thereafter, the character input process is completed. When the commandhas not been input, the flow advances to step S9.

[0102] At step S9, it is determined whether or not a command fortransmitting the characters that have been input to the column B to theMD main unit has been input. When the command has been input, thecharacters that have been input to the column B are transmitted to theMD main unit along with a column B ID an MD ID. Thereafter, thecharacter inputting process is completed. When the command has not beeninput, the character inputting process is terminated.

[0103] On the other hand, when the object to be processed is not an MD,a process for another unit such as a CD or a tuner is performed. In thiscase, the characters that have been input to the column A at step S11are stored in the remote controller memory (see FIG. 8A) of the remotecontrolling portion 100. At step S12, it is determined whether or not acommand for transmitting the characters that have been input to thecolumn B to the MD main unit has been input. When the command has beeninput, the flow advances to step S13. At step S13, the characters thathave been input to the column B are transmitted to the MD main unitalong with an ID of the selected unit. When the command has not beeninput, the character inputting process is terminated.

[0104] When characters are input to the column A, equivalent charactersthereto are input to the column B. On the other hand, when charactersare input to the column B at first, no characters have been input to thecolumn A. Thus, to prevent characters in both the columns A and B frombeing redundant (Hiragana characters (Kanji characters) or Katakanacharacters in one-byte character format), the user can input charactersto the column B at first. Alternatively, when characters are input tothe column B at first, equivalent characters thereto may be input to thecolumn A.

[0105] Next, with reference to a flow chart shown in FIG. 18, acharacter writing process for an MD will be described. After a signal isreceived from the remote controlling portion 100, at step S21, the unitID contained in the received signal is determined. When the unit IDrepresents an MD, the flow advances to step S22. Otherwise, the flowadvances to step S23.

[0106] At step S22, it is determined whether or not the received signalis character data that has been input to the column A corresponding tothe A/B column ID. When the received signal is character data that hasbeen input to the column A, the flow advances to step S24. Otherwise,the flow advances to step S25. At step S24, the character data that hasbeen input to the column A is written to sector 4 of the U-TOC area ofthe MD. Thus, the character writing process for the MD is completed.

[0107] At step S25, it is determined whether or not the received signalis character data that has been input to the column B corresponding tothe A/B column ID. When the received signal is character data that hasbeen input to the column B, the flow advances to step S26. At step S26,the character data that has been input to the column B is written tosector 1 of the U-TOC area of the MD. When the received signal is notcharacter data that has been input to the column B, the characterwriting process for the MD is completed.

[0108] When the unit ID does not represent an MD at step S23, theselected unit is determined corresponding to the unit ID. Thereafter,the flow advances to step S27. At step S27, the character data that hasbeen input to the column B is written to a predetermined memory of theMD main unit (this memory is referred to as main unit memory). Thus, thecharacter writing process for the selected unit other than the MD iscompleted.

[0109] In the first and second embodiments of the present invention,characters can be input in two types of formats corresponding to sectors1 and 4 of the U-TOC area. Alternatively, by changing or expanding thestructure of the U-TOC area, characters in three or more formats may beinput. For example, in addition to languages such as Japanese, Korean,Arabian, and so forth, phonetic characters that represent pronunciationof such languages may be denoted by alphabetic characters.

[0110] As a plurality of character formats, besides a combination ofJapanese and English, a desired combination of languages (such as acombination of English and Spanish, a combination of German and French,or a combination of Chinese and Japanese) may be used. Alternatively, acombination of different fonts may be used.

[0111] In the embodiments of the present invention, characters indifferent language formats are input in a two-line character inputfield. In addition, a plurality of character formats of the samelanguage (for example, Kanji characters, Hiragana characters, andKatakana characters) are input. Alternatively, with a character inputfield having three or more lines, a plurality of language formats or aplurality of character formats may be input in the character input fieldhaving three or more lines.

[0112] The present invention can be applied to a recording apparatus anda reproducing apparatus that record/reproduce digital video data as wellas digital audio data. In addition, the present invention can be appliedto a recording apparatus and a reproducing apparatus that use a recordmedium such as a tape shaped record medium or a semiconductor memory.

[0113] As described above, in the recording/reproducing

[0114] apparatus that records/reproduces a digital audio signal (such asan MD apparatus) according to the present invention, character data suchas titles of individual programs in a plurality of character formatssuch as Hiragana characters, Kanji characters, and alphabetic charactersthat are recorded in different sectors of the U-TOC area can be input onthe same screen of a remote controlling portion or the like.

[0115] Thus, since the user can see input characters in a plurality ofcharacter formats, after confirming the relation therebetween, he or shecan transmit character data to be recorded to a record medium to theapparatus. Thus, the user can easily and securely input character datasuch as titles of programs in a plurality of character formats (forexample, alphabetic characters and equivalent Katakana characters).

[0116] Although the present invention has been shown and described withrespect to a best mode embodiment thereof, it should be understood bythose skilled in the art that the foregoing and various other changes,omissions, and additions in the form and detail thereof may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A digital signal recording apparatus, comprising:recording means for rewriting programs and character symbols recorded ona record medium having a program area for recording programs and amanagement area for managing a plurality of character symbolscorresponding to the programs; operating means for allowing theplurality of character symbols to be input when the character symbolsare rewritten by said recording means; displaying means having a displayfield corresponding to the plurality of character symbols that are inputby said operating means; and controlling means for causing saidrecording means to record the plurality of character symbols that areinput by said operating means to the management area in such a mannerthat the plurality of character symbols correlate with the programs. 2.The digital signal recording apparatus as set forth in claim 1, whereinsaid controlling means has means for automatically converting acharacter symbol that is input by said operating means into anothercharacter symbol of the plurality of character symbols.
 3. The digitalsignal recording apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein saidcontrolling means has means for causing said recording means to rewriteeach of the plurality of character symbols displayed on said displayingmeans.
 4. The digital signal recording apparatus as set forth in claim1, wherein said displaying means displays at least a title of the recordmedium.
 5. The digital signal recording apparatus as set forth in claim1, wherein said displaying means displays at least a title of eachprogram recorded on the record medium.
 6. The digital signal recordingapparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said displaying meansdisplays at least an artist name of the record medium.
 7. The digitalsignal recording apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein thecharacter symbols displayed on said displaying means are charactersymbols in different language formats.
 8. The digital signal recordingapparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the character symbolsdisplayed on said displaying means are character symbols in differentcharacter formats of the same language format.
 9. The digital signalrecording apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the record mediumis a rewritable magnetic optical disc, and wherein the management areais sector 1 and sector 4 of a U-TOC (User Table Of Content) area of therewritable magnetic optical disc.
 10. A digital signal reproducingapparatus, comprising: reproducing means for reproducing programs andcharacter symbols from a record medium having a program area forrecording programs and a management area for managing a plurality ofcharacter symbols corresponding to the programs; storing means forstoring the plurality of character symbols in such a manner that theplurality of character symbols correlate with the programs; anddisplaying means having a display field corresponding to the pluralityof character symbols that are recorded to said recording means.
 11. Thedigital signal reproducing apparatus as set forth in claim 10, furthercomprising: operating means for causing said reproducing means toreproduce programs corresponding to character symbols displayed on saiddisplaying means.
 12. The digital signal reproducing apparatus as setforth in claim 10, wherein said displaying means displays at least atitle of the record medium.
 13. The digital signal reproducing apparatusas set forth in claim 10, wherein said displaying means displays atleast a title of each program recorded on the record medium.
 14. Thedigital signal reproducing apparatus as set forth in claim 10, whereinsaid displaying means displays at least an artist name of the recordmedium.
 15. The digital signal reproducing apparatus as set forth inclaim 10, wherein the character symbols displayed on said displayingmeans are character symbols in different language formats.
 16. Thedigital signal reproducing apparatus as set forth in claim 10, whereinthe character symbols displayed on said displaying means are charactersymbols in different character formats of the same language format. 17.A remote controlling apparatus, comprising: operating means forinputting a plurality of character symbols that are transmitted to aunit to be controlled; displaying means having a display fieldcorresponding to the plurality of character symbols that are input bysaid operating means; storing means for storing the plurality ofcharacter symbols that are input by said operating means; andtransmitting means for transmitting the plurality of character symbolsstored in said storing means to the unit to be controlled along with anidentifier that represents the unit to be controlled.
 18. The remotecontrolling apparatus as set forth in claim 17, wherein the unit to becontrolled has: receiving means for receiving the plurality of charactersymbols received from said transmitting means and the identifier;identifying means for identifying the identifier received by saidreceiving means; and storing means for storing the plurality ofcharacter symbols received by said receiving means, and wherein saidstoring means of the unit to be controlled stores the plurality ofcharacter symbols corresponding to the identifier identified by saididentifying means.
 19. The remote controlling apparatus as set forth inclaim 17, further comprising: controlling means for automaticallyconverting a character symbol that is input by said operating means intoanother character symbol of the plurality of character symbols.
 20. Theremote controlling apparatus as set forth in claim 17, wherein saidtransmitting means transmits a command for causing the unit to becontrolled to reproduce a program corresponding to a character symboldisplayed by said displaying means.
 21. The remote controlling apparatusas set forth in claim 17, wherein said transmitting means transmits acommand for causing the unit to be controlled to rewrite a charactersymbol corresponding to each of the plurality of character symbolsdisplayed on said displaying means.
 22. The remote controlling apparatusas set forth in claim 17, wherein said operating means is characterinputting means connected to the unit to be controlled through apredetermined interface.
 23. The remote controlling apparatus as setforth in claim 17, wherein said operating means is a touch panel. 24.The remote controlling apparatus as set forth in claim 17, wherein saiddisplaying means displays at least a title of the record medium loadedto the unit to be controlled.
 25. The remote controlling apparatus asset forth in claim 17, wherein said displaying means displays at least atitle of each program recorded on the record medium loaded to the unitto be controlled.
 26. The remote controlling apparatus as set forth inclaim 17, wherein said displaying means displays at least an artist nameof the record medium loaded to the unit to be controlled.
 27. The remotecontrolling apparatus as set forth in claim 17, wherein the charactersymbols displayed on said displaying means are character symbols indifferent language formats.
 28. The remote controlling apparatus as setforth in claim 17, wherein the character symbols displayed on saiddisplaying means are character symbols in different character formats ofthe same language format.
 29. A digital signal recording method,comprising the steps of: (a) recording programs and character symbols toa record medium having a program area for recording programs and amanagement area for managing a plurality of character symbolscorresponding to the programs; (b) inputting the plurality of charactersymbols recorded at step (a); and (c) displaying the plurality ofcharacter symbols that are input at step (b) on a predetermined displayfield.
 30. A digital signal reproducing method, comprising the steps of:(a) reproducing programs and character symbols from a record mediumhaving a program area for recording programs and a management area formanaging a plurality of character symbols corresponding to the programs;(b) storing the plurality of character symbols in such a manner that theplurality of character symbols correlate with the programs; and (c)displaying the plurality of character symbols that are recorded at step(b) to a display field.